While Pride Month is commonly tied to celebration, we shouldn’t forget that the month’s origins also started as a cry for liberation. In 2023, the LGBTQ community faces a record number of bills targeting their right to healthcare, public access, free speech, and more. This year, it’s a good reminder that the movement for LGBTQ rights is still going on. For many of the underserved lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer communities, some of their stories have still not been heard.
So what does this have to do with our relationship with pets?
LGBTQ pet parents outnumber non-LGBTQ pet parents, according to research by Jacqui Gabb of The Open University. And the benefits of this relationship are clear: pets help compensate for the lack of security during difficult times and often become part of an individual’s chosen family. Simply put, the relationship we have with pets is often one of the healthiest and most healing memories a pet parent can have. As Jordan Lee, founder and Creative Director of The Public Pet, says, “Life is complicated enough, pets are easy reminders to just let that stuff go.”
That’s why we want to highlight six businesses who are part of the community. A product can become a core memory for our pets, so why not make that purchase count for you and them? These six LGBTQ-owned stores sell everything from innovative food to unique toys. I know my pets would be so happy if they were all around the corner from home.
The Public Pet — Kaimuki, Hi
According to Lei, an LGBTQ travel publication, The Public Pet sources their products from vendors and creators on Instagram. That’s serious dedication to keeping up with the aesthetics in an industry that’s not had much design innovation in the last two decades—but founder Jordan Lee and his team focus on products that bring smiles, good vibes, and top-tier quality. Short story: The Public Pet Holds. Up.
This urban pet store in Kaimuki, Hawai’i is a destination store for anyone who has a pet and wants to get them a unique souvenir. From Spam Musubi cat nip toys to Furry-Kake meal toppers, The Public Pet has created a store for the coolest of cats and dogs, all through a local Hawaiian lens.
In fact, Jordan hypes Pawniolo Pets, makers of the Furry-Kake toppers and other locally sourced pet treats. Not only does being able to support a local Hawai’i farmer or rancher help with local agriculture, but it also allows The Public Pet to offer high quality pet food to their clients.
Barks N’ Rec — Chicago, Il
This small Chicago business is owned and operated by husbands Dave Owens and Josh Moore who clearly empathize with the journey of pet responsibility. Since 2020, Barks N’ Rec has been there for the community as a pet supply store and delivery service, pet resource, dog daycare, and even event venue. And the community has shown their love for them with rave reviews, 5 stars on Yelp and Facebook!
To have a trusted place for your most loved family members? It’s truly a blessing and kudos to Barks N’ Rec. While they mainly do local delivery, they do have free shipping over $99 for items I have yet to see elsewhere. Amongst some of the few are… Tabasco Hot Sauce cat nip toy, Lick Croix Lickety Lime, and Power Plush Hot Lips Toy — items most modern pet parent have an affinity for.
The Goodest Pet — Los Angeles, Ca
This queer Latina-owned pet accessories store is set to brighten your day. From playful patterns to the most spring of colors, The Goodest Pet delivers on practicality and style with a high quality collar that offers a safe breakaway feature. Each product is handmade by Vania, whose background in fashion and animal welfare informs the small touches that pet parents appreciate.
“My passion for creativity goes back to my childhood, surrounded by generations of creative matriarchs utilizing their talents and sharing them as a means to earn a living,” says Vania, who notes that her Knotted Bow Cat Collars were the product that started this journey.
And like us, Vania’s pets inspire a strong work-life balance. “Taking them out for walks and motivating me to take the time to go on roadtrips and explore more of the outdoors.”
Want to wear Vania’s designs for yourself? She creates those accessories too! The Merry Blossoms Velvet Headband is the color of a golden pearl and the Peek-a-Boo earrings are the cutest. Both my pets and I would be proud to wear The Goodest Pet.
Yummers — Del Mar, Ca
Yummers started as a cry for joy and excitement for Emmy-nominated television personalities Jonathan Van Ness and Antoni Porowski when they get a taste of incredibly delicious food. Wanting to bring that excitement to their pets, the two teamed up with Rebecca Rudisch, pet industry expert, to create meal toppers and snacks that will have our pets licking their lips.
As we all know, food is love — and for pets, it can also be the ultimate reinforcer for comfort. Taking a cue from Antoni’s love for the process, Yummers gives pet parents an opportunity to be more involved with making their pet’s food, without complications of a messy kitchen or recipe gone wrong.
Amongst their most popular items are the Salmon & Sweet Potato Mix-in for Dogs and Chicken Gourmet for Cats. Their skin and coat supplements for both pets are also top-rated items.
Roverlund — Brooklyn, Ny
With much love from some of the most well-known brands (HGTV, Conde Nast Traveler, and Rolling Stone), Roverlund (no association with Rover) knows how to help your pet make an entrance. You can’t deny how chic a person would look, traveling with their Roverlund gear on adventures and city-runs—and thankfully for the price, they’re also confirmed airline-friendly.
Founder and Vogue alum, Jamie Knowles, started this company back in 2016. According to an interview with Cool Hunting, Knowles used his and his dog’s travel experience to create a durable product that fits dogs who land in the upper region of the size and weight limit.
Cloudberry Pet Salon — Seattle, Wa
What I’ve come to understand as fear-free practices in the pet community can easily be synonymous with trauma-informed practices in the queer community. Imagine walking into a safe space for a physical transformation… that’s how we want our pets to feel when they are groomed.
But the reality is grooming can often be a traumatic experience for our animal companions. That’s why I’m excited to include Cloudberry Grooming on our list of LGBTQ businesses to support.
I can only imagine how reassuring it feels to make an appointment for your beloved at Cloudberry Grooming. Their advocacy for cooperative care and dedication to a pet-friendly work atmosphere (limited confinement time, enrichment toys, and pet-behavior educated) sets the standard for keeping dogs happy after a bath! Can’t get to Seattle? Cloudberry offers at-home grooming guides.